As I've mentioned previously, I think Trotter would a great addition. Defensive line depth won't happen this year. I'm hoping they can get a third starter and someone that can come in and play some DE. Payne or Walker both should be able to move over and give the NG some rest. LB Corps may need a pick or two in draft. S will hopefully be addressed a lot between rds 3-6. The Texans do need one more cornerback at minimum. I don't think the team will be completed this season, but hope thru this year's and next year's draft. 7 wins is about the most I see the Texans winning, but could see them losing all the games this year. To early to tell. I'm hoping for a 9 win second season.
What happened with Glenn, and possibly Boselli, restructuring their salaries to give the Texans a bit more breathing room? Is it possible that the Texans could then sign Trotter? (Though it would probably have to be one of those 'one year now, multi-year next year when we have more cap room' deals)
Ric, if rezdawg is being hopelessly naïve, then I must insist that you’re being hopelessly pessimistic. I agree: the Texans lack good depth across the board, with the possible exception of the offensive line, which has part-time starting experience in projected reserves Jimmy Herndon, Robert Hicks, and Ryan Schau. Others have seen a good amount of game action. (And, of course, keep in mind that a good deal of depth will be added through the draft.) Playmakers: Although the Texans don’t have proven playmakers, it is arguable that James Allen (remember the Cleveland game?), Corey Bradford (showed flashes in Green Bay), and Jermaine Lewis (a playmaker on special teams) are capable of being playmakers, and will have the opportunity to do so in Houston. Boselli: If Boselli and doctors are correct, left tackle isn’t much of a question mark. Not now, not for a long while. Tight end: Name the four starting tight ends from the AFC and NFC championship games off the top of your head. How many went to the Pro Bowl? What rounds were they drafted in? A big, physical, pass-catching tight end is a nice thing to have, but it isn’t a necessity. The Texans should be able to pick up a good tight end in rounds 3-7, if not Jerramy Stevens in round 2. Quarterback: The Carolina Panthers started career back up Frank Reich and Kerry Collins. Enough said. Kris Brown: That’s unfair and you know it. Brown had one of the best “road” percentages in the NFL and was above average at Heinz Field. Brown hit 85% (50/59) during 1999 and 2000. Furthermore, Brown has one of the best legs in the NFL and will consistently help the special teams cover units. Defensive line: The Texans lack three legitimate starters? You can’t tell me Jabari Issa, Seth Payne, and Gary Walker don’t match Casey Hampton, Kimo von Oelhoffen, and Aaron Smith. Payne had 86 tackles and five sacks last year and Walker is coming off a Pro Bowl season. Issa started five games for the Arizona Cardinals last year. Jerry DeLoach is a quality reserve. Kailee Wong: Played OLB in 4-3 defense in Minnesota. So what? Played defensive end in college. I'm betting Wong adapts well to OLB in 3-4 defense. Linebackers: 3/4 complete. So what? Last year, Pittsburgh’s linebackers were 3/4 complete before the draft, too. (Obviously, I’m not saying the Texans will draft Kendrell Bell, but the Steelers were in the same boat last season.) Cornerbacks: Marcus Coleman and Aaron Glenn are good enough, and Jacoby Shepherd and Jason Simmons have experience as nickel and dime cornerbacks. Safeties: Chris Carter, Leomont Evans, Matt Stevens, and Kevin Williams have starting experience. Finally, I will agree with you that 5 wins are within reach, with a ceiling of 7 wins if everything comes together (and the Texans are able to sign Jeremiah Trotter). I'll predict 5 wins, for now.
Ric, if rezdawg is being hopelessly naïve, then I must insist that you’re being hopelessly pessimistic. i'd prefer realistic, but ok... i realize i come across as the guy who likes to urinate in the punch bowl; it's just, i'd hate to see everyone get their hopes up, only to have them dashed. i have no faith in the houston sports fan to keep anything these days in perspective. I agree: the Texans lack good depth across the board, with the possible exception of the offensive line, which has part-time starting experience in projected reserves Jimmy Herndon, Robert Hicks, and Ryan Schau. Others have seen a good amount of game action. (And, of course, keep in mind that a good deal of depth will be added through the draft.) the offensive line should a strength, but that's on paper -- these guys have yet to play together as a unit, and even the most talented OL takes time to become a cohesive unit. remember the oilers' line during the 80's? they drafted munchak, matthew and steinkuler in successive years ('82, '83 and '84) and it took until 1987 from them to be formidable. Playmakers: Although the Texans don’t have proven playmakers, it is arguable that James Allen (remember the Cleveland game?), Corey Bradford (showed flashes in Green Bay), and Jermaine Lewis (a playmaker on special teams) are capable of being playmakers, and will have the opportunity to do so in Houston. if they were legitimate playmakers, why couldn't allen beat out thomas? why couldn't bradford start on a team desperate for WRs (same for lewis)? both would rate as average players at best, tho each has potential. that might be selling allen a tad short, but not by very much. lewis was a playmaker on special teams, but it takes 11 players for that unit to enjoy success, so expecting him to step right in with houston and special teams full of likely journeymen and rookies is unrealistic. remember gerarld mcneil? mel gray? it's not that easy. Boselli: If Boselli and doctors are correct, left tackle isn’t much of a question mark. Not now, not for a long while. boselli rates as a question mark until he can prove he's healthy on the field of play. and while i admit the OL is deep and talented, who backs up boselli if he's slow to start, or can't start at all early on? Tight end: Name the four starting tight ends from the AFC and NFC championship games off the top of your head. How many went to the Pro Bowl? What rounds were they drafted in? A big, physical, pass-catching tight end is a nice thing to have, but it isn’t a necessity. The Texans should be able to pick up a good tight end in rounds 3-7, if not Jerramy Stevens in round 2. the championship teams from last year aren't relative: all of the QBs had above-average to great WRs, so TE wasn't necessarily a concern. the texans do not even have an average lot of WRs, and teams should be able to effectively handle bradford and especially lewis, which means the QB is going to need a safety valve, either the TE or RB. having a good TE can really help a QB develop -- look at aikman and mcnair. Quarterback: The Carolina Panthers started career back up Frank Reich and Kerry Collins. Enough said. again, not really relevant; carolina played ball control and let their defense win games. houston figures to be far less conservative with chris palmer in charge. Kris Brown: That’s unfair and you know it. no, it's not -- it's fact. look, i have no problem with the brown signing, but, like boselli, until he does it on the field, we can only look at past results to gather a sense of what to expect. i know all about the problems at heinz field; i also know once kickers lose their confidence, it's over. Defensive line: The Texans lack three legitimate starters? You can’t tell me Jabari Issa, Seth Payne, and Gary Walker don’t match Casey Hampton, Kimo von Oelhoffen, and Aaron Smith. Payne had 86 tackles and five sacks last year and Walker is coming off a Pro Bowl season. Issa started five games for the Arizona Cardinals last year. Jerry DeLoach is a quality reserve. deloach and issa have both been big disappointments. come on! i mean, they're young and inexpensive, yet both were left unprotected in the expansion draft -- that speaks volumes about what to expect from them. they have two worthy starters and two disappointing youngsters with some talent... Kailee Wong: Played OLB in 4-3 defense in Minnesota. So what? Played defensive end in college. I'm betting Wong adapts well to OLB in 3-4 defense. actually, wong began as an OLB with minnesota but couldn't cut it. in 2000, due to injuries, they moved him inside and he began to thrive. now he's being moved back outside. again, we can speculate all day, but the jury has to be considered out on him until he can prove he's a legitimate OLB. Linebackers: 3/4 complete. So what? Last year, Pittsburgh’s linebackers were 3/4 complete before the draft, too. (Obviously, I’m not saying the Texans will draft Kendrell Bell, but the Steelers were in the same boat last season.) first of all, i said 3/5 complete, at best -- they lack at least two starters, assuming either allen or samuel prove to be a competent back-up. and the steelers' LBing talent, even pre-draft, was heads and tails better than houston's. and they'd been playing in the same system for several years. for sharper, wong, et al, it's a brand new scheme. Safeties: Chris Carter, Leomont Evans, Matt Stevens, and Kevin Williams have starting experience. but none of them are any good. Finally, I will agree with you that 5 wins are within reach, with a ceiling of 7 wins if everything comes together (and the Texans are able to sign Jeremiah Trotter). I'll predict 5 wins, for now. well, i like trotter, but he's not worth two wins. and i'd be interested for you to name the seven games you think houston can win. i see their first victory coming against buffalo. after that, they'll likely win one of their 3 games with CLE, JAX and CIN. they have back-to-back home games with JAX and NYG, and they'll likely at least split those. other than that, there aren't too many winnable games on their schedule. yes, they're probably better than dallas, but not in the season's first week. san diego is possible, but ladanian will control that game, imo.
Ric, I continue to agree with most of your main ideas ... though you are pessimistic with your details. (The devil is in the details.) Please notice that I said "5 games are within reach, with a ceiling of 7 wins if everything comes together (and the Texans are able to sign Jeremiah Trotter). I'll predict 5 wins, for now." Five wins will be difficult, and I won't even begin to guess which 5 games are winnable, let alone 7. I completely agree that Trotter isn't worth two more wins. I believe 7 wins are within reach if everything comes together, including (but not limited to) the Texans signing Jeremiah Trotter. That also includes David Carr having an immediate and substantial impact, the offensive line coming together, and the Texans avoiding injuries at key positions. It's easy to look at the schedule and look for the five most "winnable" games. But, if everything comes together for the Texans, they may be able to steal a win or two in games that don't appear "winnable." Thus, I'll predict 5 wins, for now.
oh, i think they'll definitely steal one, and they'll be competitive in many of their losses. what concerns me about houston's schedule (and thus, their prospects) is that they face great running backs nearly every week. not good, but great. that, and they have questionable depth. if any of the proposed starters go down (which, let's face it, is likely), they're in trouble. and thanks, re: the site. i'm doing the board, litterally, as i type this, so, quit bothering me!
Ric I checked out your site and it rocks. Keep it up. Also, IF the Texans win 8 games, I want you to have an article about how I am the one who predicted it.
